‘Stunning’ change to United’s colonoscopy coverage roils physicians and patients
For patients who have undiagnosed cancer, a months-long delay due to new prior authorization requirements for colonoscopies could be disastrous.
When gastroenterologists learned in March that UnitedHealthcare plans to barricade many colonoscopies behind a controversial and complicated process known as prior authorization, their emotions cycled rapidly between fear, shock, and outrage.
The change, which the health insurer will implement on June 1, means that any United member seeking surveillance and diagnostic colonoscopies to detect cancer will first need approval from United — or else have to pay out of pocket.
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